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The Webster Cliff Trail leads from US Route 302 S of Crawford Notch to the Crawford Path near the summit of Mount Pierce. The entire trail is part of the Appalachian Trail, and the part over the ledges is among the roughest and steepest sections of that trail in New Hampshire.
Distance: About 7.0 miles one-way
Elevation gain (from trailhead): About 2800 feet to Mount Webster
About 3100 feet to Mount Jackson
About 3300 feet to Mizpah Cutoff/Hut
About 3800 feet to Mount Pierce/Crawford Path
Maps:
USGS Crawford Notch
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2007-2008 map G/H-8
DeLorme NHA&G 44-E/C4 - Harts Location/Beans Grant
The trail is located E of US Route 302 at Crawford Notch, between Twin Mountain and Conway
Trailhead: Roadside parking on US Route 302 about 3.7 mi. S of Crawford Notch railroad depot, elevation about 1275 feet
N 44.1710 W 71.3880 (WGS84)
From I-93 exit 35 near Franconia Notch, follow US Route 3 about 11 miles N to the junction of US Route 302 in Twin Mountain, turn R on US Route 302 and go E about 12.7 miles to Appalachian Trail crossing.
Far End: Crawford Path near the summit of Mount Pierce, elevation about 4200 feet
Owner: Crawford Notch State Park and White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: Appalachian Mountain Club
Special regulations: Camping and fires not allowed in state park or near hut (except at campsite)
The Webster Cliff Trail leaves the highway on a wide gravel path and descends slightly to a new bridge over the Saco River where there is a monument to the Robertsons. On the far bank, the Saco River Trail enters L and the Webster Cliff Trail begins a long switchback R which the Saco River Trail leaves R in .2 mi. The trail starts with gradual switchbacks, then changes to alternating level sections and steep sections with log and rock steps, and entering the National Forest from the State Park. A rockslide which occurred in early 2009 crosses the trail and demonstrates natural processes in action. The first viewpoint is reached at about 1.7 mi from the highway.
The next section up the ridge is the roughest part of the trail, up and down over outcrops and very overgrown, with few cairns and faded blazes. The summit of Mount Webster at 3.0 mi is a rock in the woods near the trail with inferior views to those already passed. The trail descends .1 mi to a junction with the Webster branch of the Webster-Jackson Trail at which point you may have briefly returned to the state park.
The remainder of the Webster Cliff Trail is much easier, some of the trail is level with bridging over wet areas although there are still some ledge scrambles. There are 2 small knolls to climb over before a major ledge scramble up the cone of Mount Jackson. The Jackson branch of the Webster-Jackson Trail is reached at 4.4 mi. There are 3 good viewpoints near the summit of Mount Jackson: an E view before the trail junction, a W view at the trail junction, and a N view from a ledge beyond which has an old chiseled triangle survey marker. The actual highest point may be in a scrubby patch between.
The Webster Cliff Trail descends the cone steeply then crosses a large open area before climbing over a minor summit. At about 6.1 mi the Mizpah Cutoff enters L and in another .1 mi the AMC Mizpah Spring Hut is reached, with fee tent platforms nearby. The Mount Clinton Trail, which goes down into the Dry River valley not up to Mount Clinton, enters R here.
The next section of trail is steep but not as rough as earlier, then the trail passes over another knoll before reaching the summit of Mount Pierce (which was previously named Mount Clinton) at 6.9 mi. The views here are better for tall people or with deep snow. The Webster Cliff Trail now descends and ends in another .1 mi at its junction with the Crawford Path. Go R for Mount Eisenhower, Mount Washington, and Mount Katahdin, or L to return to Crawford Notch.
NA
Map Notes: The Webster-Jackson Trail connects at the summit of Mount Jackson not as shown on the USGS 7.5' map
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